Write, shoot and edit a thriller or horror short film for the 2026 Halloween-o-thon Film Competition: Leaf Creepers!
This year’s theme is “Leaf Creepers”! Make us a movie that makes us feel like somebody’s watching. And remember, we see everything!
Rules:
- Registration Cap: 7 teams
- Submission Deadline: October 30 at 11:59pm!
- All films must be under 7 minutes!
- Submitting teams must be registered in advance.
Feel free to be inspired by our theme, but don’t let it limit you. The only requirement is being frightening.
Our Spooktacular Showcase & Awards ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 31 @ 6:00pm at JAM. Costumes heavily encouraged!
We will screen all of our submissions and conclude the night with a bone chilling ceremony of awards. Immediately following the awards ceremony will be WRJ’s Gory Daze Halloween Parade and Gutter Ball!
Questions? Concerns? General feelings of unease? Reach out to . No promises they can help, but they will try!
Halloween-o-thon 2026 is at capacity! Register Below to Join The 2026 Waitlist:
Sorry, we are at capacity and can't take any more entires this year! We'd love to see your film anyway. Email if you would like us to include your film on our YouTube and cable channels!
Want to learn how to make a great horror film? Check out last year’s “How To Horror” workshop with horror directors Sean Temple & Sarah Wisner!
2025 & 2024 FILMS AVAILABLE HERE
2023 AWARD WINNERS
Audience Choice Award: Chickens (2022)
Judges’ Choice Award: Killer Party (2023)
Spirit of the Assignment: Game Over (2023)
Best Story: Curses (2023)
Outstanding Ensemble: Chickens (2022)
Superior Sound Design: Ben is in the Basement (2023)
Exceptional Editing: Ben is in the Basement (2023)
Best Performance: Killer Party (2023)
Best Cinematography: Do You Understand? (2023)
Watch all 11 films and see their honorable mentions HERE
2022 AWARD WINNERS
Audience Choice Award: Happy Birthday (2022)
Technical Triumph: Wendigo (2022)
Spirit of the Assignment: Trick Treats (2022)
Spooktacular SFX: Wendigo (2022)
Superior Sound Design: Wendigo (2022)
Best Makeup/Costume Design: Hot Dog Day Afternoon (2022)
Stand Out Scene: Trick Treats (2022)
Best Line: Don’t Go There (2022)
Best Lead Actor: Happy Birthday (2022)
Outstanding Ensemble: Bug (2022)
Exceptional Editing: The Man Opener (2022)
Best Cinematography: Wendigo (2022)
Best Original Screenplay: Hot Dog Day Afternoon (2022)
Watch all 12 films and see their nominations HERE.